Kia Soul and Seltos Side Airbags May Deploy Unexpectedly
high How serious is it? About this label
An airbag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or a crash. The notice does not tell owners to stop driving.
Key facts
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V830000 |
|---|---|
| Reported to NHTSA | Dec 22, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Part affected | AIR Bags |
| Vehicles covered | 2 model/year combinations, model years 2023–2024 |
| Do-not-drive advisory | No |
| Park-outside advisory | No |
| Repair | Free at any franchised dealer |
What's wrong, in plain English
In some Kia Soul and Kia Seltos vehicles, a manufacturing error can cause the side curtain airbags to deploy unexpectedly. This means an airbag could inflate at a time when it isn't meant to, rather than only when needed to protect occupants in a crash. This issue can involve the side curtain airbag module on either side of the vehicle.
What you should do
2. Contact a Kia dealer, or call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542.
3. Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain airbag modules as necessary, free of charge.
Where do I find my VIN, and what do I tell the dealer?
Your VIN is the 17-character code on the lower left of the windshield, on your registration and usually on your insurance card. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether this recall is still open on your car. When you call the dealer, say you have an open safety recall and give them NHTSA campaign number 23V830000. More in how recalls work.
Affected vehicles (2)
Who to contact
Kia — official Kia recall lookup
Customer service: 1-800-333-4542
The bigger picture
- Kia Air Bag Recalls Cover Deployment and Child Detection Problems · all 8 Kia recalls in this area
Other Kia Soul recalls
- Feb 17, 2025Kia Seltos and Soul Engine Piston Rings Defectivecritical
- Jul 31, 2023Kia Seltos, Soul, Sportage: Oil Pump Fire Riskcritical
- Apr 26, 2023Kia SUVs and cars: dashboard display may go blankmedium
- Jan 25, 2022Kia Air Bags May Fail to Deploy in Crashhigh
- Apr 13, 2021Kia Soul and Seltos Engine Damage Riskhigh
Official notice
- Component
- AIR BAGS
- Summary
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Soul and 2024 Seltos vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the side curtain air bags may deploy unexpectedly.
- Safety risk
- An air bag that deploys unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury or crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace both side curtain air bag modules as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 31, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC289.
Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov. Recall repairs are free of charge by law.